6 Ways to Decorate Your Kitchen Countertops

While your countertops are there to serve you, their sole purpose doesn’t have to be function. They offer a blank slate to showcase your personality with some stunning décor. We’re going to look at some ways on how to decorate a kitchen counter, whether you need it to be beautiful, practical or a mixture of both.

If you really love the way your countertops look on their own, take a minimalist approach and choose an element that lets the counters remain center stage but still gives the space a touch of personality. A large decorative vase or eye-catching sculpture or statue can be the perfect addition. A big display of flowers can also create the desired effect. This is also a great styling tip if you have mixed countertop materials, such as butcher block on the island and white quartz on the main cabinetry. The countertops themselves are already acting as décor, so choose pieces that keep the attention on them while also enhancing the room’s look.

Adding touches of color can really set off the space. This can be as simple as filling a bowl with brightly colored fruit, like green apples or lemons. Keep the bowl neutral so the fruit really pops. A large glass canister is another great option for a fruit display. You can also take cues for kitchen counter décor from items and finishes already present. Tie in colors found in a kitchen runner rug, or highlight a small appliance, like a red stand mixer, by displaying other red items on various sections of your countertops. And you don’t have to limit the splashes of color to just one. Strategically place your items so that the colors can play off each other. Make connection points throughout the room so anyone who comes in can be guided around the space by the sprinkles of color.

A vignette, or a collection of carefully picked items grouped together, can look great on kitchen countertops. And the best part is the set up can be as pretty or as practical as you want it to be. If you’ve got enough counter space where using a small section won’t impede on daily kitchen tasks, your display can feature items that are purely for aesthetics. Some ideas include old kitchen gadgets, signs with food-related sayings, and a pitcher filled with flowers. But if you need the space to remain as functional as possible, group items that’ll look good and be helpful. A small stack of favorite cookbooks and a utensil holder full of wooden spoons and spatulas keep your favorite recipes and some essential cooking tools at hand. Accent these with a small plant — faux or real — to complete the look. Another practical display is a few cutting boards in different shapes and sizes, placed strategically in front of each other and leaned against your backsplash.

From soap to olive oil, these kitchen staples are likely left out on countertops to keep them available. So make them look like they belong in the décor scheme instead of just being a necessity. If your kitchen sink doesn’t already have a soap dispenser built it, opt for a decorative one you can set beside the sink. If you keep lotion in the kitchen, get a matching one for it too. If you keep bottles or cruets of cooking oils and salt and pepper next to the range or stovetop, tighten up their appearance by placing them on a tray. Even though they’re always out, they’ll have a designated spot on your countertop which helps elevate their appearance. Canisters of essential baking ingredients, like flour and sugar, can work as décor if stored in clear glass containers.

Literally bring your kitchen to life using live stems or bouquets of flowers. Leafy branches from your yard can easily fill a vase. Play with the height and texture of the branches and stems to create striking décor. An herb garden is another great option for bringing a natural element into your kitchen counter décor, giving you the beauty of the greenery and the ingredients for your favorite recipes right at your fingertips.

Even if they aren’t fresh, faux greenery can instantly brighten your space and you won’t have to worry about maintaining live plants or flowers. Regardless of which you choose, larger stems, plants and florals can stand on their own as decorations. Balance them out with smaller options, which can also be paired with other décor collections in your space, like a coffee station or beside a display of cutting boards.

Certain small appliances may already take up space on your counters, especially if they are frequently used, such as a coffee pot. So if it’s already out, why not up the aesthetic and use it to decorate? Turn the corner where your coffee maker is into a coffee station. Use a tray or a coffee cup tree to keep mugs organized and at the ready. This is also a great way to showcase some of your favorite cups, which simultaneously lets your personality shine. Other additions to include (if space allows) could be a sugar bowl, a small basket of supplies like stir sticks and even a canister of coffee beans.